Aclara Technologies, LLC

Randy John Williams

Kathleen Macenski

A contaminant detector is capable of sending a signal or alert when a contaminant is detected within a housing of a utility meter, a meter transmission unit (MTU), or other associated equipment. Circuitry enclosed within the housing is capable of detecting utility usage, transmitting information between one or more utility meters and a utility provider, and/or otherwise monitoring or tracking utility usage. The contaminant detector includes a resistive voltage divider network having a resistance that varies when in contact with a contaminant such as a form of water or metal. The variable resistor has a serpentine structure comprising a plurality of detective fingers that are formed from conductive material and separated by a non-conductive substance.

Very low power contaminant detection circuit

A system and method to determine battery lifetime of a remote meter transmission unit. Disclosed methods may comprise sampling a meter transmission unit's voltage and temperature while the unit is not transmitting any data; selecting a temperature curve based on the sampled temperature of the unit from a plurality of predetermined temperature curves, wherein each predetermined temperature curve representing the battery lifetime based on the unit's sampled voltage at the unit's sampled temperature; locating a position from the selected curve based on the voltage sampled of the unit; determining the battery's electrical power consumed and remained based on the position of the curve; and determining the battery's lifetime based on the power consumed and remained. The disclosed method may be used to estimate the battery's remaining lifetime. Disclosed products may utilize the disclosed method.

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Sandy, UT, United States of America

Randy John Williams